Michael Lee Roper, young champion, lover of life, and man of faith, graced the world with his presence on Tuesday, March 9, 1999, marking a special day for his parents, Michelle C. Roper and Michael Nance and his older brother, Matthew. Roper, all of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The abiding memory of Michael Lee was his infectious smile as he bounded through life with magnetic charisma and vitality. Though his spirit will live on, his life on earth ended abruptly as a result of gun violence on Saturday, September 1,2018 at 19 years of age. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Michael Peebles.

From the time he was a child, Michael Lee had an ambition about him and proved that he was a special kid with amazing commitment and focus. Though small in stature, his spirit and energy loomed large and he never shied away from "punching above his weight." He was inquisitive, observant, daring and he believed in fairness. When encountering unfair situations, Michael Lee took it upon himself to do all that he could to make things right.

Being reared in a family of faith, Michael Lee gave his life to Christ at an early age and joined generations of family "'members in affiliating with First Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Richard W. Gordon. Like so many of his cousins (and there are many), he sang in the children's choir and regularly attended Sunday School. He generously and unapologetically shared his abiding faith in God with his friends, encouraging them via social media to "stay prayed up, and stay in the scripture." His was a beautiful spirit, and his laughter and smile were an outward expression of his inward commitment to a joyful life! Michael Lee never met a stranger and would naturally engage anyone in conversation.

Michael Lee attended the Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County School Systems, and made a name for himself as a congenial student leader and successful athlete at Oakland High School. Following the footsteps of his grandfather, David, arid his great-uncle, Ricky, he excelled at football both defensively and offensively, but he was most recognized for skills as a running back (#LongLive22). He was named All-Area and All-District, and he picked up honorable mention All-State accolades. Lue, as he was popularly known, distinguished himself on and off the field as a friend, a mentor and" " true team player. Upon his high school graduation in 2017, he was offered and accepted a football scholarship to Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. At the time of his death, he was enrolled as a sophomore at Tennessee State University in Nashville.

Michael Lee was never too proud to ask for help, and he was very comfortable asking you to help him in his various projects. Whatever the project, he was persistent, and didn't stop until the job was done. Most recently, he began a small" power washing and landscaping business. He was a member of the Gamma Class of the Kappa Alpha Psi's Beautillion. His infectious smile and "tip-toe" walk were his trademarks and the qualities we will remember most. You seldom saw him when he didn't have a smile on his face and determination in his walk. Michael's life, though brief, was a life well lived.